Filtration

Good filtration is an extremely important part of any aquarium system. The purpose of your filtration system is to guarantee that the water in you aquarium is the higest quality it can be.This means that your filter system has to do more than just make your water appear "clean", your water also has to have a high oxygen concentration and contain no toxins.

There are three types of filtration used in freshwater and marine aquariums -- mechanical, chemical and biological. A good mixture utilizing all three types of filtration is best.

Fritz Pet Products carries a wide variety of filtration products to make you aquarium the healthiest it can be.

Mechanical Filtration

Mechanical filtration is used to remove the particulate matter suspended in the water column before it decomposes and adds to the ammonia load. It is important for mechanical filtratioin to be the first part of any filtration system, because it removes large organic matter thta can clog the chemical and biological phases of your filter system.

Sponge filters, corner filters, and canister filters with a filter cartridge are good examples of mechanical filters and do a good job removing this particulate matter. It is important, however,to clean these filters often, If you do not clean them you haven't removed anything, you've only moved it. So, if you use a mechanical filter, clean it often.

See:
      •  Filter Pads
      •  Filter Bags
      •  Carbon-AG
      •  Carbon-AP

Chemical Filtration

Chemical Filtration is the use of chemically enhanced products, such as carbon or zeolite, to remove copper, dissolved organics, nitrate/nitrite/ammonia, phosphates, etc.

Activated Carbon is used to remove:chlrorine, chloramine, organic compounds, some medications, copper, and dyes

Zeolite is used to remove ammonia, nitrate, and phosphates.

See:
      •  Fritz-Zyme #7 Freshwater
      •  Fritz-Zyme #9 Saltwater
      •  TURBO START #700 Freshwater
      •  TURBO START #900 Saltwater

See Also:

• Nitrifying Bacteria